Portland Trailblazers Announce “Rip City Television Network,” Add Direct-to-Consumer In-Market Streaming Service, BlazerVision
Team partnering with Sinclair Broadcast Group to deliver games in-market free over-the-air
Story Highlights
Earlier this week, the Portland Trail Blazers shared its plans for production and distribution of its locally-produced live games this upcoming NBA season. The team has launched the Rip City Television Network, a network of over-the-air Sinclair Broadcast Group (Sinclair) affiliates throughout the Pacific Northwest to serve as the new television home of the Trail Blazers.
Additionally, the franchise debuted a new, paid, subscription-based, in-market, direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service – BlazerVision.
“Launching the Rip City Television Network and BlazerVision is a turning point for our fans,” Dewayne Hankins, President of Business Operations, Portland Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter said in an announcement on the team’s website. “We’ve put our fans first and started a new chapter, making it easier than ever to enjoy Trail Blazers basketball. Whether on TV or streaming with BlazerVision, we believe this is the best way to create lifelong fans and keep them connected. This is a big win for all of Rip City.”
“We’re looking forward to collaborating with the Trail Blazers to expand Rip City basketball’s reach through over-the-air broadcasts, which significantly broaden audience reach,” said Rob Weisbord, COO and President of Local Media, Sinclair. “Now, more fans across the Pacific Northwest can enjoy unparalleled access to the Trail Blazers through our KATU family of networks.”
“We’re thrilled to partner with Sinclair and KATU to help bring the Emmy Award-winning Trail Blazers Broadcast to a wide audience,” said Greg Fonseca, Producer, Trail Blazers Broadcasting. “Between the reach of the Rip City Television Network and the ease of access with BlazerVision, we’re looking forward to producing an amazing broadcast each night for fans to enjoy Rip City basketball wherever they may be.”
Fans within the Trail Blazers local broadcast market will be able to watch all local and non-exclusive nationally televised games across Sinclair’s family of local over-the-air television stations in Portland, KATU and KUNP. Games will be accessible via an over-the-air antenna or a local cable or satellite provider that carries KATU and KUNP. Just outside of the Portland metro area, Trail Blazers games will be available on Sinclair’s over-the-air stations, and associated multicasts with cable clearance, in Seattle (KUNS/TBD.TV Network,) Medford (KTVL/TBD.TV Network,) Eugene (KVAL, KCBY and KPIC/TBD. TV Network) and Yakima/Pasco (KEPR and KIMA/TBD.TV Network.) According to the team, coverage will expand to more regions across the Pacific Northwest in the coming months.
“Partnering with the Trail Blazers to launch the Rip City Television Network aligns with our mission to continue to add value to our broadcast stations and provide greater accessibility and engagement for local sports fans,” said Scott Shapiro, Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategy, Sinclair. By delivering Trail Blazers games via broadcast television, we are bringing innovative solutions to reach more households across the Pacific Northwest. We look forward to the immense impact this partnership will have for basketball fans throughout the region”
On the streaming front, BlazerVision is powered by the NBA’s Next Gen integrated digital platform and can be accessed through the NBA app and NBA.com using any device that supports the NBA App or a web browser – including iPhone, iPad, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation 5 and Xbox One.
An annual subscription to BlazerVision will cost $120 for the full season, or $19.99 per month. The team is also offering a complementary pair of upper bowl tickets to a select Blazers game to those who purchase the full-season BlazerVision subscription by November 1. Conversely, anyone who is already a full-season or half-season ticket holder will receive a complimentary one-year subscription to BlazerVision.
